The City of Knoxville Office of Neighborhoods will host the 2020 Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knoxville Convention Center. Registration is open now at KnoxvilleTN.gov/conference. Registrants without internet access may call 865-215-3232 to register by phone.

Established in 2013, the Neighborhood Conference resembles an industry convention that showcases the tools of the community-building trade. It also has elements of a pep rally celebrating the ways Knoxville neighbors are working together to improve their neighborhoods and strengthen their city. 

“Active neighborhood organizations are key to a strong city,” says Mayor Indya Kincannon, who has been an active member of her neighborhood association, Historic Fourth and Gill Neighborhood Organization, since 2001. 

“During my campaign for Mayor, many residents I spoke with were concerned about neighborhood issues like blight, safety and job opportunities. The Office of Neighborhoods provides so many resources that empower residents. The Neighborhood Conference is a crash course in getting to know your neighbors and working together with elected officials, City departments and community groups to solve problems and improve our quality of life.”

Doors of the conference open at 8 a.m. followed by the morning program at 8:30 a.m. Mayor Kincannon will announce the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year Award recipient, the Neighborhood Achievement Awards and acknowledge the Knoxville Police Department Officer Liaison of the Year.

“We recognize neighbors and neighborhoods that go above and beyond in times of need or demonstrate extraordinary leadership and creativity to benefit each other,” said Office of Neighborhoods Coordinator Debbie Sharp. “When they’re working together on common goals, residents have a lot of power to solve issues with minimal help from the City or even on their own.” 

Conference attendees will choose from four workshops that address priorities identified by the Office of Neighborhoods and noted by Mayor Kincannon during her campaign:

• Neighborhood Give Day: Four neighborhood leaders will discuss creative and empowering ways they worked with City of Knoxville departments and staff, non-profits and their neighbors to address blight while also helping their neighbors in need. 

• Grant Ideas Through Placemaking: Neighbors from a variety of city neighborhoods will present ways they developed and completed projects that showcase their neighborhood’s unique history and characteristics. 

• Workforce Development: This interactive workshop will help participants understand what workforce development is, what impact it could have in neighborhoods, and why it might be important to your neighborhood’s future.  

• Government 101: Learn the structure and mechanisms of city government and what residents need to know to make informed decisions as voters and residents. 

Before and after the workshop session, attendees can visit with 80-plus exhibitors representing local non-profit, community and governmental organizations, including City of Knoxville and Knox County departments. 

Drawings for the many door prizes donated by local restaurants, shops, salons, museums, and entertainment businesses will be held throughout the day. 

Current sponsors of the 2020 Neighborhoods Conference include: Waste Connections of Tennessee, Inc., Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace, Home Federal Bank of Tennessee, Cannon & Cannon, Inc.; Dover Signature Properties; Eason Architecture, LLC; Hatcher Hill, LLC; Knoxville Area Association of Realtors; Mast General Store; Sanders Pace, LLC; and Compass.

To donate a door prize or learn how your business can sponsor the Neighborhood Conference, contact Conference Coordinator Courtney Durrett at 865-215-3456 or c[email protected].